Interim Results
Premier Management Holdings PLC
13 December 2000
PREMIER MANGEMENT HOLDINGS PLC
INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2000
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am delighted to present my first Chairman's Statement since Premier joined
AIM in March of this year. Our first few months as a Public Company have been
very exciting and we are pleased to report both positive figures and
considerable development of our business in line with the strategy we set out
in our flotation prospectus.
For the period from 15 March 2000 to 31 October 2000, pre-tax profits were
£120,000 on turnover of £540,000. Although the summer represents our busiest
time both of these figures were above our expectations, and they would have
been even better but for the EC review into the transfer system, which caused
a general slow down in transfer activity. During the period the business has
developed on a number of fronts. We have made a number of investments in the
future value of player's contracts and we have signed a considerable number of
promising young players. We have expanded our representation both at home and
overseas and improved our infrastructure for the future.
A number of players represented by Premier prior to our flotation have moved
to higher profile Clubs, such as Gary Doherty to Spurs, Callum Davidson to
Leicester, Trevor Benjamin to Leicester, Lomano Tresor Lua Lua to Newcastle
and Jordao from Portugal to West Bromwich Albion. We also represented Al Hilal
Saudi Sports Club on their transfer of Sami Al Jafer, the first Saudi player
to play in England, to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Among the quality young players we have signed since March are four at
Barnsley - Rory Fallon and Adam Oldham, who are involved at youth level for
England, Leo Bertos (a current New Zealand Youth International), and Antony
Kay who is now 18, and made his first team debut earlier this season when he
was 17. We have also signed a number of other quality young players at Premier
and First Division level in this Country, and at Premier level in Scotland. In
addition we have signed a number of players from Greece, several of whom are
in the Greek Under 21 National side. One of these players is playing in
Scotland in the Premier League, and two others for their first team in the
Premier League in Greece. We have also made investments in five young players
to date, including one from Romania and one from Israel and would hope to see
the benefit of those investments in the next year or so.
Since flotation, other Agency businesses have been offered to Premier, but at
this stage we have decided there is greater value in expanding organically. We
have done this by taking on a number of Consultants, all of whom are football
people, and work for us on a part time and, performance related basis.
Additionally an agreement has been reached whereby we have the option to
acquire the business of Mickey Walsh. Pending that acquisition, Mickey is
working for us as a Consultant and we have also taken on two full time
employees to expand our coverage both in this country and abroad. We have also
forged alliances with new partners in Central and Eastern Europe - Croatia,
Bosnia, Belgium and Portugal - and have already been or are currently involved
in transfers in all of these territories
We have relocated to new offices adjacent to Liverpool Street Station equipped
with sophisticated telephone and computer equipment to track our players, Club
requirements, potential new players and potential players whose future we can
invest in. It also enables us to compile and retain detailed reports on
players and to have at our fingertips information when Clubs come on to us to
look for players for specific positions. This information can be relayed to
our clients in seconds electronically.
We hope to expand the range of services we provide to our players by acquiring
or associating with a suitable Financial Services business and increasing the
promotional and endorsement opportunities for the players we represent.
Whilst there is still uncertainty about the future of the transfer system, we
believe that we are well positioned whatever the final outcome of the
negotiations between the European Commission and the Football Authorities. The
role of Agents representing players and Clubs is going to increase and whilst
television continues to buy football at its current level, it is unlikely that
player's salaries will reduce. Indeed in the interim briefing paper from the
English Football Authorities, they stated 'one group of certain winners from
the abolition of the transfer system will be Agents, who will play an ever
more important role as the number of players changing clubs increases and
contracts become increasingly complex'.
Trading since the 1st November has been satisfactory and we look forward to
the future with considerable optimism.
Stuart Lucas
Chairman
13 December 2000
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 OCTOBER
2000
£'000
Turnover 540
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Profit before taxation 120
Taxation (24)
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Profit attributable to shareholders 96
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Earnings per share (basic) 0.66p
Earnings per share (fully diluted) 0.63p
All recognised gains and losses are included in the Profit & Loss Account
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2000
£'000 £'000
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
Equipment and Vehicles 118
Other Investments 375
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493
Intangible Assets
Goodwill 184
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677
Current Assets
Debtors 396
Cash and Bank 1532
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1928
Current Liabilities 199
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Net Current Assets 1729
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Net Assets 2406
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Capital and Reserves
Share capital 200
Share premium 2110
Retained profits 96
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2406
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NOTES
1. BASIS OF PREPERATION
The interim accounts are for the period 17 December 1999 (date of
incorporation) to 31 October 2000. Trading commenced on 15 March 2000. The
accounts are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts in
accordance with section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.
The accounts have not been reviewed by the auditors.
The financial information has been prepared in accordance with applicable
accounting standards and under the historical cost accounting convention.
The following accounting policies have been applied:
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of Premier
Management Holdings Plc and all of its subsidiaries as at 31 October 2000
using the acquisition method of accounting. The results of subsidiary
undertakings are included from the date of acquisition.
Turnover
Turnover represents income receivable from professional footballers and
professional football clubs for services rendered.
Intangible Fixed Assets
Goodwill represents the difference between the fair value of the
consideration paid on acquisition of a business and the fair value of its
identifiable net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is amortised
over 10 years a proportion of which has been written off in this period
Tangible Fixed Assets
Depreciation of fixed assets is calculated to write off their cost or
valuation less estimated residual value over their useful economic lives
as follows:
Office equipment and motor vehicles - 25% of written down value
Investment in players future contracts - based upon impairment review
The Company invests in the future value of players transfer fees. The
investments are stated at their cost price. In the opinion of the
directors the value of the investment in players was not less than £
375,000.
2. DIVIDENDS
No dividend is proposed for the period ended 31 October 2000.
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The earnings per share calculations are based on earnings of £96,000 and
the average number of shares in issue of 14,579,727. The fully diluted
earnings per share is after allowing for the dilutive effect of share
options granted to directors, key employees and Hoodless Brennan &
partners plc.
4. SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT
The share premium account is stated after writing off flotation costs
of £290k
Copies of this interim report are available from the company at:
50 Liverpool Street
London
EC2M 7PR
Further enquiries:
Stuart Lucas (Chairman) 020 7456 9880
Barry Gold (Managing Director) 020 7456 0490
Gerry Desler (Finance Director) 020 7456 0490